This is the story of a man who, right from the days of his childhood, came across nothing but struggles, difficulties, battles and several adversities. Vijay Kumar Jaiswal, son of Late Mr Kumbh Narain Jaiswal, was born to a not-so-well-to-do family in Sant Ravidas Nagar, Bhadohi, Banaras, “It was tough for a large family like ours – six brothers living with parents – and even tougher with no one to guide us much about what we should do. Barely had I passed my class 8 when I could sense that it was being difficult for the family to fund my further studies. Seeing this, I could think of no other way, but to hunt for work, to earn my own living and strive to be independent – at a time when I was but 14 years of age.”
To my good luck, I came across somebody looking for a helper (a Mundu in the popular parlance) for his Poori-Bhaji shop in Nehru Place. Rs. 300/- a month plus accommodation and food, or, down to Rs. 10/- for 15 to 18 hours of work per day (65 paisa per hour) was my first remuneration. However, the 12 years of work with this man transformed me into a strong, robust well experienced man, expert in customer relations, conversant with the tricks of the trade and, in putting smiles on the customers’ faces…
“This is the time I thought I must do something of my own. Destiny brought me to Gurgaon in 2001, and here I am at the SVK, operating since the past 23 years out of a two-and-a-half square feet wall-hung corner desk on which I put my gas stove, a copper vessel and a few paper glasses. I store my gas cylinder, tea leaves, and sugar underneath and secure them under lock and key.”
Vijay and his brothers are married and are running kiosks of paan-beedi-cigarette, tea, snacks, dhaba or other petty eateries. He lives in a rented house in C Block with his wife, two sons and a daughter.
Asked as to why he greets his customers always with Jai Sai Raam, he explains – “In 2010 I met with a serious road accident which completely disabled my right hand, making it impossible for me to even hold small items. People recommended several medical treatments but finding them expensive, I sought solace in Shirdi Vale Sain Baba and devoted a considerable time in His temple – and the miracle really happened. My hand started moving again and I was back into action.” In his reverence to the Sai Baba, he always wears a tilak and keeps his head tied up with a white cloth – just to imitate the Baba. “In Him, I have Poora Vishwas”, says he, with folded his hands and closed eyes and I call my business SHREE SAIN TEA STALL.
“I’ve never known any vacation or holidays,” Says he. “With this kind of trade, wherein I have to personally deliver 350 to 400 teas in a day, there is no time to take rest even during illness. Vijay is the marketing manager, the production manager, the storekeeper, the distributor, and the accountant of his little enterprise. – None of these roles can be spared for a holiday.” He laughs…
“SVK is a crazy maze – the corridors of different angles intermingle at many places, people get confused – it is difficult for them to locate shops. By standing in a strategic corner, I give directions to hundreds of people every day. I know SVK like the back of my hand and can direct them even without lifting my head.
“I have seen scores of tea vendors in the SVK – most of them have been coming and going, but I am proud to say that I have survived all competitive threats and have survived well in my trade. I am in full action between 10:30 am to 7:30 pm and my clients love my tea – there is only one type that I make masala-adrak chai with ilaichi and, at times crushed black pepper and I make sure that I always serve it hot…
“Hardships have been my best teachers, and I do not want my children to face problems in life but will guide them well. My son and two daughters are at school, and I will do everything to ensure a bright career for them” Vijay’s son is soon going to finish his school and he aspires to do BBA and then look for a respectable job. “Everyone can make the best of everything – it’s a question of how strong your determination is”…
